George and Barbara Bush point to well-wishers during the first day of the Republican National Convention, July 31, 2000 in Philadelphia. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Newsmakers/via Getty Images) Barbara and George Bush on their honeymoon at The Cloister on Sea Island, Georgia in January 1945 (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). George and Barbara Bush on their wedding day in Rye, New York on January 6, 1945 (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). George and Barbara Bush on their wedding day in Rye, New York on January 6, 1945 (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). George and Barbara Bush on their wedding day in Rye, New York on January 6, 1945 (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). An infant George W. Bush with his mother Barbara Bush and his father George Bush posing for a portrait in New Haven, CT, April 1947. (Photo by Newsmakers/via Getty Images) Barbara Bush and George Bush pose with children Neil Bush, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush and Marvin Bush in 1956. (Photo by Newsmakers/via Getty Images) The George Bush Family in Houston, TX, 1964 (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). The George Bush family (left to right, front row - Neil, Marvin, Jeb; back row - Doro, George W., Barbara, George), taken in the early 1960s (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). The Bush family in front of the United States Capitol, Washington, DC (l-r Doro, Marvin, Neil, Jeb, George W., Barbara, George), 1967 (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). George Herbert Walker Bush takes the oath of office as the 41st President of the United States at the U.S. Capital, Washington, D.C. on January 20, 1989 (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). President and Mrs. Bush attend an Inaugural Ball at the D.C. Armory on January 20, 1989 (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). Portrait of the Bush family in front of their Kennebunkport, Maine August 24, 1986. (Photo by Newsmakers/Getty Images) George Bush and his wife Barbara sit in their bed as six of their 14 grandchildren play around them in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Liaison) President and Mrs. Bush with Millie on the rocks at Walker's Point, Kennebunkport, ME on August 18, 1989 (Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum). Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush attend a portrait unveiling at the George Bush Library April 21, 2003 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Joe Mitchell/Getty Images) Former US President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush smile as they are introduced at Bush's 80th birthday celebration at Minute Maid Stadium June 12, 2004, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Brett Coomer/Getty Images) President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Jenna Bush, Barbara Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, former first lady Barbara Bush pose for a portrait with extended family on January 19, 2005. (Photo by Eric Draper/Whitehouse via Getty Images) Former President of the United States George Bush Sr. and wife Barbara Bush attend Game Four of the 2005 Major League Baseball World Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros on October 26, 2005. (Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) Film Subject President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Mrs. Barbara Bush attend the HBO Documentary special screening of "41" on June 12, 2012 in Kennebunkport, Maine. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for HBO) Former President Barack Obama, former first lady Barbara Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Former first lady Barbara Bush greets her husband and former U.S. President George H.W. Bush with a kiss after his successful skydive down to St. Anne's Episcopal Church on June 12, 2014 in Kennebunkport, Maine. (Photo by Eric Shea/Getty Images) Former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush are introduced prior to game three of the American League Division Series between the Houston Astros and the Kansas City Royals on October 11, 2015. (Photo: Bob Levey/Getty Images) Former president George Bush gives thumbs up as wife, Barbara Bush looks on before game one of the National League divisional series at Enron Field in Houston, Texas. The Braves won 7-4. (Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT via Getty Images) President George H.W. Bush flips the coin with wife Barbara Bush during Super Bowl 51 between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) The longest-married couple in U.S. presidential history celebrates 73 years of marriage this weekend. Former President George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Pierce Bush were wed on January 6, 1945, and their love story is indeed one for the ages.
The 41st President of the United States met the woman who would become his wife when he was just 16. She was home from boarding school on holiday break.
After a couple of years of long-distance dating, they were engaged, just before Bush shipped off to serve as a naval pilot in World War II after he enlisted on his 18th birthday. They were later wed at the First Presbyterian Church in Rye, New York, which is also Mrs. Bush's hometown.
Bush was the youngest pilot in the Navy when he got his wings, flying 58 combat missions during World War II. On September 2, 1944, he was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire during a mission over the Pacific Ocean, and a U.S. submarine crew rescued him from the water. His two crewmen were killed. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in September 1945, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
He went on to earn an economics degree from Yale University, and then moved to Texas with Barbara and their oldest son, George W., to begin a career in the oil business. Like his father Prescott Bush, who served as a Senator from Connecticut, he became interested in politics and public service.
Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
George H.W. Bush would serve two terms in Congress representing the state of Texas, and he ran twice for Senate, though unsuccessfully. After that, he held a number of high-level positions including U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U. S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
In 1980, Bush campaigned for the Republican nomination for President and lost, but was chosen as a running mate by Ronald Reagan and went on to become the Vice President of the United States.
He tried again and won the Republican nomination for President in 1988, and after defeating Michael Dukakis in the general election, Bush was sworn in as the 41st President of the United States on January 20, 1989, with Barbara by his side.
Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Through the years, the Bushes had four sons-- George W., who became the 43rd President of the United States in 2001; John Ellis-- better known as Jeb-- who was the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007; Marvin and Neil, and a daughter, Doro. Their second child, a daughter named Robin, died in 1953 at the age of 3 after battling leukemia.
Photo credit: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Over the years, they have become grandparents 17 times, and also have seven great-grandchildren.
Photo credit: Getty Images
In November, George H.W. Bush, now 93, became the longest-living commander-in-chief in U.S. history. The former first lady is now 92 years old.
Photo credit: Getty Images
During the first 44 years of their marriage, the Bush family moved a total of 29 different times. They now reside in Houston, Texas and Kennebunkport, Maine. According to his biography on the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library website, the former president takes pride in the fact that all of his children and grandchildren are helping others in their own communities.
Photo credit: Getty Images
See more photos of the Bushes through the years in the slideshow above.